Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building Part 47

And off we go to play and romp, While teacher, who is good and kind, Is left behind all by herself-- But then, perhaps, she doesn't mind.

MONDAY'S LESSONS

Study them well on Friday, For it's much the better way, Because when once they're finished You've all Sat.u.r.day for play.

AT DINNER

No matter where we children are We run in answer to the bell, And dinner comes in piping hot; It makes us hungry just to smell.

Poor Father sharpens up his knife, And carves with all his might and main; But long before he's had a bite Our Willie's plate comes back again.

We eat our vegetables and meat, For Mother, who is always right, Says those who wish to have dessert, Must show they have an appet.i.te.

And when a Sunday comes around, So very, very good we seem, You'd think 'most any one could tell That for dessert we'd have ice-cream.

VALOR.

BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS.

There isn't any giant Within this forest grim, And if there were, I wouldn't be A bit afraid of him!

A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY

BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS

My doll, my doll, my Annabel, She's really feeling far from well!

Her wig is gone, her eyes are out, Her legs are left somewhere about, Her arms were stolen by the pup, The hens ate all her sawdust up, So all that's really left of her Is just her clothes and character.

THE CAPITALIST.

I always buy at the lollipop-shop, On the very first day of spring, A bag of marbles, a spinning-top, And a pocketful of string.

IN MERRY ENGLAND.

BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS.

In merry, merry England, In the merry month of May, Miss Mary Ella Montague Went out in best array.

Her wise mama called out to her, "My darling Mary Ella, It looks like rain to-day, my dear; You'd best take your umbrella!"

That silly girl she paid no heed To her dear mother's call.

She walked at least six miles that day, And it never rained at all!

THE GOOSE GIRL.

BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS.

Oh, I'm a goose, and you're a goose, and we're all geese together.

We wander over hill and dale, all in the sweet June weather, While wise folk stay indoors and pore O'er dusty books for learning lore.

How glad I am--how glad you are--that we're birds of a feather: That you're a goose, and I'm a goose, and we're all geese together!

THE PHILOSOPHER

BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS

Let me make you acquainted with Mrs. O'Toole, Though she's had little learning, she's n.o.body's fool, She loves her fine geese, but when they are dead She'll comfort herself with a new feather bed.

EVERY-DAY VERSES

BY ALDEN ARTHUR KNIPE

PICTURES BY EMILIE BENSON KNIPE

THIRSTY FLOWERS

I have a little wat'ring-pot, It holds two quarts I think, And when the days are very hot I give the plants a drink.

They lift their heads as flowers should, And look so green and gay; I'm sure that if they only could, "We thank you, Sir," they'd say.

SHARING WITH OTHERS

Sometimes Mother gives to me Such a lot of money--See!

But it's very hard to buy All the things you'd like to try, And you always share your penny With a child who hasn't any.

POCKETS

Pockets are fine For marbles and twine, For knives and rubber bands; So, stuff them tight From morning till night With anything else but hands!

WAITING FOR DINNER

When one is very hungry, It's hard to wait, I know, For minutes seem like hours And the clock is always slow.

There isn't time to play a game, You just sit down and wait, While Mother says, "Be patient, Our cook is never late."

It's best when one is hungry, To think of other things, For then, before you know it, The bell for dinner rings.

THE CRITIC